Woodland boys, ECA teams collect Thursday night victories

December 5, 2025

The Woodland Wildcats and the Excel Christian Academy girls’ and boys’ basketball teams earned home wins on Thursday.

WOODLAND BOYS 54, PEPPERELL 47

Amir Heath scored 19 points, including 13 in the first half, Thursday night as Woodland defeated the visiting Pepperell Dragons 54-47.

Landon Dougherty posted 13 points for the Wildcats. Jonathan Hart and Solomon James added seven and six points, respectively.

Antonio Barton scored 13 points to lead Pepperell (1-3).

Woodland (5-2) visits Cass on Tuesday.

PEPPERELL 55, WOODLAND GIRLS 18

Despite a strong second quarter by the Lady Cats, visiting Pepperell pulled away in the second half to defeat the Woodland girls, 55-18.

Woodland trailed 9-0 after the opening eight minutes, but narrowed the deficit to 22-15 at halftime. The Lady Cats were limited to only three points in the second half.

Hannah Smith led Pepperell (5-0) with 18 points, and Sarah Harris added 12.

Woodland (3-4) opens Region 7-4A play on Tuesday at Cass at 6 p.m.

EXCEL CHRISTIAN BOYS 97, PRAISE ACADEMY 61

Three Eagles scored in double figures in the first three quarters Thursday night to lead the Excel Christian Academy boys in a 97-61 win over Praise Academy of Powder Springs.

Karden Wingard scored 17 points for ECA, followed by Mason McKinney with 16 and Mier Bell with 15.

Daniel Foote scored 18 points for Praise Academy (1-1). Hunter Ivey added 11.

Excel (6-3, 1-0 GAPPS 1-A, Region 1) visits Rockmart on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and hosts a region game with Oakwood Christian on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

EXCEL CHRISTIAN GIRLS 37, PRAISE ACADEMY 29

The Lady Eagles won for the first time this season on Thursday night at home, defeating region-foe Praise Academy 37-29.

The loss left the visiting Lady Lions winless in their first two games.

The Excel girls (1-5, 1-0 GAPPS 1-A, Region 1) host Oakwood Christian on Tuesday at 6 p.m.